US Customs' definition of "food"?

Question

When you cross the border or arrive at airport, you are asked whether you have brought food. What is the real definition of "food", was it flesh fruit and meat only? how about cooked food, candy, cookies? Anything that can be eaten?

Answer 1

fruits, vegetables, meat of any kind (even canned) is not allowed to enter the US.
Baked goodies like bread, cookies, cakes, preserves, candies and cheese are usually allowed.
There are anyway restrictions from some countries.
check http://www.usda.gov.
If I dont recall wrong they have a little guide about food you can carry entering in the USA.

Answer 2

As a Customs officer, it always amazes me how people will bring in food and call it everything but what it is: food.

If you aren't sure what food is, ask a first grader and they will tell you it's anything that you can eat, whether it's cooked or not.

What the fed is concerned with is bacteria and bugs. The following is generally prohibited:

meats, whether canned or fresh (there are some obscure exceptions)
citrus fruits
soil, whether loose or on a plant/flower
unpastureized dairy products
anything with any indication of bug infestation

In general, you can bring in:

candy
drinks (alcohol is restricted)
seafood
processed/canned fruits and veggies (some restrictions)
junk food (chips, nuts, etc...)
condiments

The best thing to do is declare what you have and simply write on your declaration what it is.

For more info check out http://www.cbp.gov/xp/cgov/toolbox/questions/

Answer 3

food |foōd|
noun
any nutritious substance that people or animals eat or drink, or that plants absorb, in order to maintain life and growth : cans of cat food | baby foods.

PHRASES food for thought something that warrants serious consideration.
ORIGIN late Old English fōda, of Germanic origin; related to fodder .